First Look: The Secret of Aruba’s Baby Beach

Known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters, Aruba is one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean. From the warm and welcoming people to the delicious cuisine to the sunny weather (according to locals, it rarely rains here), it’s no wonder the island’s slogan is “A Happy Island.” While most visitors are familiar with the bustling west side of the island, known as Palm Beach, a new adults-only all-inclusive Hyatt Regency hotel caught our attention and is a great way to explore southeastern Aruba, conveniently located next to the iconic Baby Beach.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to the Hyatt Hotel Brand

Secrets Baby Beach Aruba, located approximately 30 minutes from Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), is the first all-inclusive luxury hotel in the San Nicolas area. Plus, as part of the Hyatt hotel portfolio, it’s fully bookable with points.

Here’s a quick overview of what guests can expect from this beautiful new all-inclusive hotel.

Related: Secrets and Dreams Playa Esmeralda Review

first impression

When I arrived at the cliffside resort, I was greeted with a cold towel and the waiter immediately helped me carry my luggage.

The vast estate reflects the island’s natural beauty, with vast cactus landscaping taking center stage both indoors and out.

Upon entering the lobby, you are greeted by a very spacious public space with various seating areas where guests can enjoy the open-air views and fresh sea breeze.

If you are checking in as a Preferred Club member, you will be directed to a separate check-in area called the Preferred Club Lounge, where you can enjoy a variety of pastries and snacks, as well as a full-service bar, while waiting for your room assignment.

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RELATED: Guide to World of Hyatt Club Lounge Access Rewards, including how to use them for others

Room

Secrets Baby Beach currently has 304 suites, each with a private furnished balcony or terrace. Preferred Club guests will enjoy additional room amenities such as private pools and/or soaking tubs. Although this hotel is not located directly on the beach, you can still enjoy partial ocean views depending on the room you choose.

My partner and I stayed in the Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean View. The 1,230-square-foot room was designed with Aruba’s views in mind, with cactus-inspired artwork on the walls, a king-size bed, an additional seating area and a fully stocked minibar. Simple, modern rooms feature stylish, natural wood finishes and neutral tones.

The spacious, light-filled bathroom features double sinks beneath a large mirror, an ensuite toilet and a rain shower. The toiletries are from Pharmacopia’s hydrating Argan Oil range.

While the interior of the room is beautiful, the private pool with lounge chairs and separate outdoor soaking tub is the highlight. These facilities and the beautiful surrounding landscape certainly accentuate the romantic atmosphere of the hotel. Please note that if your accommodation comes with a swimming pool, you will be on the first floor of the hotel, which means your ocean view will be limited.

Dining at Secrets Baby Beach, Aruba

The resort features four a la carte dinner restaurants: Tierra, which offers a menu of South American fusion cuisine; Portofino, an Italian restaurant; Oceana, a seafood restaurant; and Himitsu, which offers pan-Asian cuisine.

I had the opportunity to dine at Tierra, Oceana and Himitsu.

Tierra reigns supreme in my eyes, a blend of bold flavors and spices. Some highlights are the Colombian Tacacho, which is mashed plantain with crispy pork, confit pork and pickled onions. I also enjoyed the fresh catch of the day which was snapper cooked in banana leaves and fried green plantains. If you want to add some spice to your dish, be sure to ask your server for a side of papaya hot sauce.

Another standout meal was the seafood dish from Oceana, which included sautéed shrimp and beef fillet served with potato mousse and mushroom sauce.

Of the three restaurants I tried, Himitsu ranked third. The shrimp tempura sushi roll seemed to be pre-made and then refrigerated, the rice was slightly dry and the shrimp was cold. The sauce for the Thai shrimp pads had a very lemony flavor, which is not typical for this dish.

Overall, I found the more regional food to be really outstanding compared to other international dishes.

For breakfast and lunch, guests can choose from an international buffet at the Market Cafe, which offers a wide selection of made-to-order omelets, crepes and sashimi. For Preferred Club members, you have the option to dine in a separate seating area and choose from the a la carte menu. However, I felt the breakfast selection was very similar to the buffet. Since I liked the autonomy of being able to go up and choose my food or grab a few plates, I decided to eat in the buffet area.

Other dining options include Barefoot Grill, serving light fare poolside; Coco Cafe, a 24-hour coffee, ice cream and snack bar; and room service.

Related: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the World

Facilities and services

As with most luxury all-inclusives, the resort’s amenities are a major selling point. At Secrets Baby Beach, high-energy activities and wellness-focused services are perfectly integrated.

• swimming pool: The resort has two infinity pools overlooking Baby Beach (one of which is exclusive to Preferred Club guests) and an event pool. The beachfront pool is quieter and ideal for guests looking to relax. However, the activity pool is a fun environment with lively music and poolside games for guests.
• spa: For the ultimate in relaxation, enjoy a massage or facial at this beautiful spa, which also features a sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool and hot tub.
• Enter baby beach: From the resort, you can walk along the path to Baby Beach. Although this is a public beach, the hotel provides guests with free chairs, snorkeling equipment, and drinks to enjoy on the beach. Please note, however, that the Hyatt Regency does not have a designated beach area on Baby Beach for hotel guests.
• entertainment: In addition to enjoying music and games by the main pool during the day, the resort also has live music every night. A highlight was sitting outside at the bar having a pre-dinner drink while listening to the violinist play 90s pop songs. After dinner, head to the resort’s Desire Nightclub to listen to a DJ or sing karaoke, or head to the sports bar to watch a game. The hotel also offers nightly singers and stage shows.
• fitness center: This impressive gym is equipped with elliptical machines, treadmills, free weights, strength training machines and more; you can also choose to take fitness classes such as yoga, aerobics or Zumba.
• Activity: While I enjoy relaxing on vacation, I also enjoy participating in activities. This hotel offers a large number of classes such as Sip & Paint, Cocktail Making, Bike Tours, Bingo and Jewelry Making. In addition, the lobby attendant can assist you in booking off-site excursions, such as a cave tour in Alicock National Park.
• casino: This hotel has a casino, but it was not open during my stay.

RELATED: 2 New All-Inclusive Resorts Just Opened in the Dominican Republic Bookable with Hyatt Points

local experience

While the resort offers many on-site activities, what makes this hotel truly special is that Secrets Baby Beach encourages guests to venture outside the hotel and experience all that Aruba has to offer. In fact, you can even book a rental car at your hotel or hail a taxi at the check-in desk.

The town of San Nicolas, just minutes away, embodies the island’s Caribbean roots and culture and has become a major hotspot for the arts. A highlight of the trip was experiencing street murals and visiting local galleries. If you’re looking for authentic cuisine, head to O’Niel’s Caribbean Kitchen for staples like fresh fish, grilled chicken and curried goat.

I also recommend renting a car or taking a guided tour of Alicock National Park. You can explore the caves and view ancient drawings on the rock walls.

Location and logistics

The resort is only about a 30-minute drive from Queen Beatrix International Airport. There are no Uber or similar ride-hailing services in Aruba, so to get to your hotel you can opt to take a taxi, which usually costs between $20 and $30. You can also book a round trip car service in advance, which I recommend for a hassle-free experience. Carpool transfers to and from Secrets Baby Beach cost approximately $45 per person.

For a more luxurious experience, De Palm Tours offers VIP deluxe round-trip airport transfers for approximately USD 423 for up to 4 passengers.

How much does it cost to stay at Secret Baby Beach Hotel?

Secrets Baby Beach Aruba is part of Hyatt’s all-inclusive collection, which means you can use points to book the resort. The resort is a Category D hotel, which means that standard rooms on off-peak dates start at 25,000 points, club rooms at 34,000 points, standard suites at 43,000 points and superior suites at 50,000 points.

Cash prices start at about $700 for a standard room, while preferred club rooms start at about $1,000 per night.

This hotel’s award rates only show availability for premium rooms that can be booked with Hyatt points on a given date.

When booking your stay at Secrets Baby Beach Aruba, you’ll need to use a credit card that earns the most points on Hyatt stays or a credit card that automatically qualifies you for World of Hyatt elite status to take advantage of added benefits. These include:

Related: TPG’s Guide to the Best All-Inclusive Resorts Booked with Available Points

Accessibility

Secrets Baby Beach offers two wheelchair accessible room types (both on the ground floor), as well as wheelchair accessible ramps and lifts throughout the hotel. Accessible bathrooms are also available in public areas such as the lobby.

For specific needs, TPG recommends contacting the resort directly before booking to confirm how the resort can accommodate their needs.

bottom line

This new Hyatt Oceanfront all-inclusive resort offers a great option for couples seeking a romantic getaway and adults looking for a relaxing Caribbean getaway, offering private accommodations in beautiful surroundings and an array of activities both on and off the property. Additionally, if you wish to immerse yourself in the local culture and admire the scenery beyond the hotel’s walls, the hotel is an excellent starting point for exploring the revitalized city of San Nicolas.

However, since this hotel is on the less touristy side of the island, you’re away from the hustle and bustle and about 45 minutes from the Palm Beach Hotel Zone. If visiting the area’s more lively attractions, including other hotels, bars, and restaurants, is important to you, the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino, while not all-inclusive, may be a better fit.

Overall, couples and adults who want to avoid the more touristy areas of Aruba but want high-end services and amenities and a more local feel should check out Aruba’s Secret Baby Beach as their next vacation spot.